Nathan Adrian swam like a man with something to prove.
After a rough season in which he reportedly battled shoulder issues and a disappointing 7th place finish in the finals of the 100 free two days ago, Adrian dropped the hammer in the semi-finals of the 50 free this evening.
Adrian’s time of 21.37 broke Cullen Jones’s American Record time of 21.40, set in the semi-finals of the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, during the supersuited era.
In the post-race interview, Adrian said that he was feeling good today, and decided to “go for it.”
His time in the fastest in the world this year, and also sets him up as the top seed going into tomorrow night’s final. The United States men haven’t picked up a medal in this event since Ben Wildman-Tobriner and Jones went 1-2 in the finals of the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
If Adrian is to win gold here in Kazan, he’ll have to beat out reigning Olympic 50m free champion, Florent Manaudou, who had the second-fastest time in the semi-finals, a 21.41, and last year’s Pan Pacific Championships gold medalist, Brazil’s Bruno Fratus, among others.
Adrian also holds the American Record in the yards version of the 50 free short. The short course meters record belongs to teammate Anthony Ervin, who will be facing off against Russia’s Vladimir Morozov shortly in a swim-off for the final spot in tomorrow’s 50 free final.
Happy to see Adrian hold an American sprint record.
He would deserve so much to have the 100 free record too. Unfortunately Walters with his magical suit still holds it for a long time.
Race video (italian tv)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30qq59_men-s-50m-freestyle-semifinal-1-world-championships-kazan-2015_sport
That’s baller!!!
I would go as far to say that this is the most impressive swim of the Americans during thins WC, even with Katie Ledecky’s WR in the 1500. I mean, 21.37, 21.41 blow away even Fratus’ 21.60. Those swims were lightning fast!
Most impressive?
You have smoked a little too much in my opinion. 😉
I agree 🙂
But ever since Manadou’s 21.3 in london, who has been anywhere near that level until now? no one!
Wish It was finals…but still a solid glimmer of hope for Adrian and American sprinters.